Above Image: Knotted Tapestry by Laura Bowman
Telling Stories That Matter:
Cultivating Our Stories to Meet This Moment
If you are an educator, peacebuilder, community builder, student, healthcare worker, or a person working to advance and protect human rights, you are welcome to use this toolkit, to help you and those you support, harness the stories they wish to tell.
Contents
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Why Does Telling Stories Matter?
Storytelling has tremendous power to transform the way we see ourselves and each other. The power and artistry of storytelling as an ancient art and as the world's oldest form of communication, can help to build stronger, healthier, more cohesive communities. With its unparalleled ability to change the way we interact with one another—connect us all, not just despite our differences, but because of them.
Human beings tell stories. That’s how we have made sense of our world, connected, and related with each other since we were hunter-gatherer tribes sitting together around a campfire. Stories are powerful and memorable. All of us have been given stories by others; passed on to us by our families and others in generations before us. Almost everything we know has been given to us in the form of a story.
Stories and the process of sharing them are the building blocks for deep interpersonal relationships where the processes of healing, reconciliation, resolution, and conflict prevention are found. When we engage in story-telling and story-listening, we experience new worlds and discover how other people travel in paths similar to our own. We find stories that have the power to transcend borders, time, and space. Stories tell us about the diversity of traditions, customs, and ways of life that are an important part of everyday life.
A story preserves truth, identity and helps to create a sense of belonging. It also has the power to touch hearts and excite our minds. Stories empower and enrich us and can help us build communities to challenge injustices, build potential, and realize the power of change.
Recognizing the beauty of stories as art allows creative expression to flourish and helps us collectively better understand the anxieties, dreams, and aspirations which are part of being human.
It is my sincere hope, this toolkit, can inspire meaningful conversations, offer ideas and activities that can help you in your work amplify the beauty of stories as art, creative expression and unlock the magic of difference, and collaboration as we build new stories together. This toolkit, together with the Storytelling; Gift of Hope blogs series, is designed to inspire meaningful conversations, ideas and activities, with the people involved in and affected by your work. It offers a process of collecting and presenting stories to help you create intimate healing, empowerment and justice spaces.
If used ethically and wisely, it will help you advance storytelling as a democratic art, a core practice, and help you unlock the magic of difference, dialogue, and collaboration to build community agency and change on community terms.
Storytelling has tremendous power to transform the way we see ourselves and each other. The power and artistry of storytelling as an ancient art and as the world's oldest form of communication, can help to build stronger, healthier, more cohesive communities. With its unparalleled ability to change the way we interact with one another—connect us all, not just despite our differences, but because of them.
Human beings tell stories. That’s how we have made sense of our world, connected, and related with each other since we were hunter-gatherer tribes sitting together around a campfire. Stories are powerful and memorable. All of us have been given stories by others; passed on to us by our families and others in generations before us. Almost everything we know has been given to us in the form of a story.
Stories and the process of sharing them are the building blocks for deep interpersonal relationships where the processes of healing, reconciliation, resolution, and conflict prevention are found. When we engage in story-telling and story-listening, we experience new worlds and discover how other people travel in paths similar to our own. We find stories that have the power to transcend borders, time, and space. Stories tell us about the diversity of traditions, customs, and ways of life that are an important part of everyday life.
A story preserves truth, identity and helps to create a sense of belonging. It also has the power to touch hearts and excite our minds. Stories empower and enrich us and can help us build communities to challenge injustices, build potential, and realize the power of change.
Recognizing the beauty of stories as art allows creative expression to flourish and helps us collectively better understand the anxieties, dreams, and aspirations which are part of being human.
It is my sincere hope, this toolkit, can inspire meaningful conversations, offer ideas and activities that can help you in your work amplify the beauty of stories as art, creative expression and unlock the magic of difference, and collaboration as we build new stories together. This toolkit, together with the Storytelling; Gift of Hope blogs series, is designed to inspire meaningful conversations, ideas and activities, with the people involved in and affected by your work. It offers a process of collecting and presenting stories to help you create intimate healing, empowerment and justice spaces.
If used ethically and wisely, it will help you advance storytelling as a democratic art, a core practice, and help you unlock the magic of difference, dialogue, and collaboration to build community agency and change on community terms.
Storytelling is medicine for the spirit and healing for the soul.”
- Mama Linda Goss
Telling Stories that Matter Statement of Purpose
Stories aren't just for special occasions. It’s important to bring forward and emphasize the everyday applications of storytelling as a functional tool with deep purpose.
The stakes are very high. Our nation, and more generally the world, is embroiled in an identity crisis. Here in the U.S. and especially in the South, the painful past—colonialism, slavery, oppression, and persistent inequality—informs the deep divides of today's political conversations.
But there is opportunity in crisis. When used ethically, storytelling can promote strength in difference instead of using it to fuel toxic discourse.
On a very basic level, stories help us articulate who we are and where we come from—and they help us understand who other people are and where they come from. We live in a society where, all too often, our stories are told by third parties who value their bottom line over our collective best interests. But they are best understood when we hear stories of self, of place, and of cultural traditions directly from the source.
As we all continue to grapple with the politicization of American identity, it's urgent to recognize and honor that everyone's story has value. This base level of respect is the foundation on which positive change can be built. We are all shared stakeholders in the future, and we all want the same thing at the end of the day: a better world for ourselves and our children.
Sharing stories is a transformative process that empowers people and builds empathy. We can use stories to explore complexity without hostility or blame. And we can use stories to cultivate hope in difficult situations, whether it's for at-risk youth and their families, burned out workers on the front lines of education and health care, or communities that are torn by distrust and violence.
Stories aren't just for special occasions. It’s important to bring forward and emphasize the everyday applications of storytelling as a functional tool with deep purpose.
The stakes are very high. Our nation, and more generally the world, is embroiled in an identity crisis. Here in the U.S. and especially in the South, the painful past—colonialism, slavery, oppression, and persistent inequality—informs the deep divides of today's political conversations.
But there is opportunity in crisis. When used ethically, storytelling can promote strength in difference instead of using it to fuel toxic discourse.
On a very basic level, stories help us articulate who we are and where we come from—and they help us understand who other people are and where they come from. We live in a society where, all too often, our stories are told by third parties who value their bottom line over our collective best interests. But they are best understood when we hear stories of self, of place, and of cultural traditions directly from the source.
As we all continue to grapple with the politicization of American identity, it's urgent to recognize and honor that everyone's story has value. This base level of respect is the foundation on which positive change can be built. We are all shared stakeholders in the future, and we all want the same thing at the end of the day: a better world for ourselves and our children.
Sharing stories is a transformative process that empowers people and builds empathy. We can use stories to explore complexity without hostility or blame. And we can use stories to cultivate hope in difficult situations, whether it's for at-risk youth and their families, burned out workers on the front lines of education and health care, or communities that are torn by distrust and violence.
Interviews: Collecting Stories That Matter
An interview can be one of the most exciting and meaningful parts of any project; it can be a key activity in peacebuilding or community development, or a means of monitoring and evaluating the impact of a project. An interview is a chance for all participants, fieldworkers, and partners to gather a sense of what is meaningful, and to build rapport and trust.
As an interviewer, your task is to put the teller at ease and listen with all your senses. You should ask appropriate and meaningful questions that enable the teller to reveal rich details about his or her story or topic. Think of an interview as a conversation.
Clarifying your theme and interests from the start will help you decide the most effective way to start an interview. It will also make it easier to plan what questions to ask. Choose your questions wisely! The number of questions will depend on how much time you have, but the usual pattern is to start out with a few easy-to-answer questions to give the teller time to get to know you and get into a flow of conversation with you. Then you can ask the deeper questions and allow yourself time for spontaneous or planned follow-up questions. Asking for stories often brings up deeply personal feelings and memories; the teller must decide in the moment what to share and what to keep private. Sharing personal stories can often offer validation and recognition for the teller. Be mindful of this and try not to shy away from it. Offer the teller time to complete what they have started, give them time to reflect and offer a reciprocal story, or offer to give back a copy of the recorded material. This may also lead to further conversations that lead to better understandings of the story.
Stories may be disputed, especially ones that pertain to groups and communities. Telling stories can cause conflict. Therefore you must be willing to be open, honest and to work with participants in a collaborative way, helping to foster a positive relationship that yields greater results for you, the teller, and the wider community.
To help with this, think about the values, cultural practices, and experiences of the tellers. Ask them about what matters and negotiate a framework for engaging in a meaningful storytelling activity. The better you prepare, the better the results.
Interviews can provide:
• Participants with an opportunity to get to know one another, fostering a sense of shared understanding and respectful dialogue.
• A chance to learn about beliefs, issues, and struggles through the eyes and experiences of everyday people. These may include survivors, victims, or people on the other side of a divide.
• Multiple human perspectives, attitudes and values, not just facts.
• Rich material for writing and other forms of artistic expression.
• A sense of empowerment to those involved.
An interview can be one of the most exciting and meaningful parts of any project; it can be a key activity in peacebuilding or community development, or a means of monitoring and evaluating the impact of a project. An interview is a chance for all participants, fieldworkers, and partners to gather a sense of what is meaningful, and to build rapport and trust.
As an interviewer, your task is to put the teller at ease and listen with all your senses. You should ask appropriate and meaningful questions that enable the teller to reveal rich details about his or her story or topic. Think of an interview as a conversation.
Clarifying your theme and interests from the start will help you decide the most effective way to start an interview. It will also make it easier to plan what questions to ask. Choose your questions wisely! The number of questions will depend on how much time you have, but the usual pattern is to start out with a few easy-to-answer questions to give the teller time to get to know you and get into a flow of conversation with you. Then you can ask the deeper questions and allow yourself time for spontaneous or planned follow-up questions. Asking for stories often brings up deeply personal feelings and memories; the teller must decide in the moment what to share and what to keep private. Sharing personal stories can often offer validation and recognition for the teller. Be mindful of this and try not to shy away from it. Offer the teller time to complete what they have started, give them time to reflect and offer a reciprocal story, or offer to give back a copy of the recorded material. This may also lead to further conversations that lead to better understandings of the story.
Stories may be disputed, especially ones that pertain to groups and communities. Telling stories can cause conflict. Therefore you must be willing to be open, honest and to work with participants in a collaborative way, helping to foster a positive relationship that yields greater results for you, the teller, and the wider community.
To help with this, think about the values, cultural practices, and experiences of the tellers. Ask them about what matters and negotiate a framework for engaging in a meaningful storytelling activity. The better you prepare, the better the results.
Interviews can provide:
• Participants with an opportunity to get to know one another, fostering a sense of shared understanding and respectful dialogue.
• A chance to learn about beliefs, issues, and struggles through the eyes and experiences of everyday people. These may include survivors, victims, or people on the other side of a divide.
• Multiple human perspectives, attitudes and values, not just facts.
• Rich material for writing and other forms of artistic expression.
• A sense of empowerment to those involved.
Prepare for the Interview
Pre-Interview Checklist
Pre-Interview Checklist
- Ask yourself: “What do I want to know? Who is the best person to interview who can offer a different perspective? What questions can I prepare in advance that will tell me something I do not already know?”
- Think about how this interview might benefit the teller.
- Prepare a list of questions and a list of topics to cover. Find out in advance as much as you can about the person you plan to interview. Talk to the person you plan to interview ahead of time if possible. Describe your topic, why you chose them/him/her to interview, and how you plan to use the information. Giving the interviewee a few days to think about the topic will result in a richer interview.
- Always fully charge and test your equipment before you go to the interview. If your recorder uses batteries always bring a spare set and check the settings and sound. Ensure that you have enough space to record.
- Take a field notebook so that you can take notes during the interview or capture movements, events, and information around you. You can use it to jot down new questions, facial expressions and ideas as they spring to mind during the interview, so as not to interrupt the teller.
- Ensure that the space you have chosen is comfortable for the teller and for you. Make sure that there is minimal noise and other distractions.
- Be a good listener. Always wait until the teller is finished speaking before asking your next question. Asking good follow-up questions shows you are interested and are paying close attention.
- Don’t be afraid of silence. Give the teller time to think and reflect. Repeat questions if need be. Think of your interview as having a beginning, middle, and an end.
- Ask open-ended questions and questions that probe into personal experiences and values.
- When you have finished your questions, ask if they have anything they would like to add. Ask if there is anything they would like to know more about from you.
- Allow the teller time to speak with the recorder turned off at the end of the interview. This time is important for allowing you and the teller a chance to reflect on the experience or anything that came up unexpectedly. Always respect their right to confidentiality.
- Follow up your interview with a Thank You note or letter. Offer they/him/her a transcribed printout of the interview. This goes a long way toward building a positive rapport.
- Remember: this story you have collected ultimately belongs to the teller!
The Interview: Asking Good Questions
Thinking about the questions you will ask is essential to a good interview. Think about how to ask questions that will offer a chance for the teller to tell you what they think about a theme or topic.
Closed-ended questions will get you a “yes” or “no” or short response. These are helpful if you want to know specific facts. For example:
Open-ended questions invite the teller to talk at length on a chosen topic. Spending more time thinking of meaningful, open-ended questions will allow for more insightful conversations and a chance for the storyteller to tell their own story. Open-ended questions begin with the words and phrases:
Listen very carefully to your teller’s responses. Make notes in your notebook to clarify or probe more deeply into a topic when you sense the moment is right. Allow the teller to speak in ways that suit them. Be mindful that people tell stories in different ways and respond to questions in ways that reveal more than you may expect.
Always respect their right to refuse to discuss certain subjects. Remember to ask questions that encourage the teller to speak in a way that suits them; do not try to put words in their mouth. Allow them to speak freely and openly. It might be the first time someone has ever asked them for their opinion on a particular subject or topic.
Asking the storyteller for specific moments and stories to illustrate the points they want to make. You can use your list of prepared questions as a guide, but be flexible and willing to change the order, ask new questions, or leave out certain questions. Different topics may come up during the interview offering insight and new areas to explore.
The understanding of ‘story’ may differ from culture to culture, so spending some time thinking of other words to explain what you are looking for can be helpful. Explain that you are interested in their personal experiences, reflections, and thoughts. Prepare questions that allow for a flow of conversation. You might even memorize some of your key questions to remain focused and attentive with the interviewee.
Example questions:
Ask Beautiful Questions
Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to have better conversations with my dad. He lives in England, where I grew up, and my regular trips to visit were interrupted by the pandemic. When I was finally able to go again, I looked for resources supporting better conversations with aging people. I was especially interested in the work of Anne Basting, a MacArthur genius and educator whose focus is creative expression and eldercare. Basting suggests we all have the ability to ask what she calls “beautiful questions” — open-ended queries that allow different kinds of people to answer in many different ways.
Asking questions in this way can be a great support when you’re talking to someone struggling with memory issues. Often people feel pressure to remember the “correct” answer to a question about the past. They can feel disappointed or ashamed or alarmed if they can’t produce the “right” answer. Beautiful questions open up a lot more avenues and possibilities for response. This helps people have more creative and positive conversations. You can delicately probe familiar stories from the past without layering on these expectations and pressures to remember all the details.
On my last trip to the UK - I made up some beautiful questions to ask my dad. Some of the questions were:
My father has Alzheimer’s. I use him as an example, but I’d wager there are lots of people in your life who might benefit from beautiful questions.
Asking about the past is a great way to connect with different kinds of people. I always found this to be true in my research with people in homeless shelters, I learned that it was useful to ask questions that were somewhat flexible and interpretive, so they could answer in whatever way that suited them best. They usually weren’t too interested in a proscriptive question like “describe your experience living at the homeless shelter.” That was not a good prompt, much less a beautiful question, in part because these were people who were still struggling to make sense of experiences that were traumatic and difficult to talk about.
Asking more open-ended questions about their childhoods and other memories (something like: “Tell me about something you have always loved to do”) helped them connect to their past identities as bakers, writers, or rappers, rather than their current situation of being homeless. Allowing them to respond in their own way. I believe it’s always important that we ask questions in a way that’s comfortable and healing for the person we’re talking to. We want them to express the story in whatever way feels best. It’s not just about giving voice, it’s about amplifying stories, empowering the individual, and discovering that often the resilience we need to cope, exists in the stories that area already part of us.
Thinking about the questions you will ask is essential to a good interview. Think about how to ask questions that will offer a chance for the teller to tell you what they think about a theme or topic.
Closed-ended questions will get you a “yes” or “no” or short response. These are helpful if you want to know specific facts. For example:
- What (is the name of your group?)
- Where (did you first meet___?)
- When (did you first hear about___?)
- Who (is your Teacher?)
Open-ended questions invite the teller to talk at length on a chosen topic. Spending more time thinking of meaningful, open-ended questions will allow for more insightful conversations and a chance for the storyteller to tell their own story. Open-ended questions begin with the words and phrases:
- Could you tell me about (your experiences during, before, and after coming to this place)?
- What was it like (travelling from your first home)?
- Can you describe (the moment when…)?
- How did you feel (after talking to…)?
- Why did you (decide to take that action)?
Listen very carefully to your teller’s responses. Make notes in your notebook to clarify or probe more deeply into a topic when you sense the moment is right. Allow the teller to speak in ways that suit them. Be mindful that people tell stories in different ways and respond to questions in ways that reveal more than you may expect.
Always respect their right to refuse to discuss certain subjects. Remember to ask questions that encourage the teller to speak in a way that suits them; do not try to put words in their mouth. Allow them to speak freely and openly. It might be the first time someone has ever asked them for their opinion on a particular subject or topic.
Asking the storyteller for specific moments and stories to illustrate the points they want to make. You can use your list of prepared questions as a guide, but be flexible and willing to change the order, ask new questions, or leave out certain questions. Different topics may come up during the interview offering insight and new areas to explore.
The understanding of ‘story’ may differ from culture to culture, so spending some time thinking of other words to explain what you are looking for can be helpful. Explain that you are interested in their personal experiences, reflections, and thoughts. Prepare questions that allow for a flow of conversation. You might even memorize some of your key questions to remain focused and attentive with the interviewee.
Example questions:
- Could you tell me about your community? Your home?
- What places are important to you in your community? Can you describe a story or memory about one of those places?
- Whose shoulders do you stand on? Who are your people?
- Are there any community traditions that you participate in? What is your role? How do you feel when you’re conducting this role?
- Have any of these traditions changed over time?
- If there were a challenge or obstacle you overcame, who helped you? Who guided you? What ideals, values, did they teach you? What beliefs or lessons remain important to you?
- Think about that moment, which helped give you direction, purpose that broadened your perspective of the world and your place in that world or connected you to the wider world?
- What do you imagine the future to be like for you and your community?
- Can you tell me some of your favorite stories about your community or involvement in an event?
- If this place/ region, building, community were to disappear, what would be lost?
- Are there other people who you think could tell stories about this community?
Ask Beautiful Questions
Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to have better conversations with my dad. He lives in England, where I grew up, and my regular trips to visit were interrupted by the pandemic. When I was finally able to go again, I looked for resources supporting better conversations with aging people. I was especially interested in the work of Anne Basting, a MacArthur genius and educator whose focus is creative expression and eldercare. Basting suggests we all have the ability to ask what she calls “beautiful questions” — open-ended queries that allow different kinds of people to answer in many different ways.
Asking questions in this way can be a great support when you’re talking to someone struggling with memory issues. Often people feel pressure to remember the “correct” answer to a question about the past. They can feel disappointed or ashamed or alarmed if they can’t produce the “right” answer. Beautiful questions open up a lot more avenues and possibilities for response. This helps people have more creative and positive conversations. You can delicately probe familiar stories from the past without layering on these expectations and pressures to remember all the details.
On my last trip to the UK - I made up some beautiful questions to ask my dad. Some of the questions were:
- What’s your favorite sound?
- What’s your favorite smell?
- What does courage mean to you?
- Tell me about the best day of your life.
- What is the greatest gift you have ever received?
- Whose life inspires you?
- What makes a house feel like a home?
- What does compassion mean to you?
My father has Alzheimer’s. I use him as an example, but I’d wager there are lots of people in your life who might benefit from beautiful questions.
Asking about the past is a great way to connect with different kinds of people. I always found this to be true in my research with people in homeless shelters, I learned that it was useful to ask questions that were somewhat flexible and interpretive, so they could answer in whatever way that suited them best. They usually weren’t too interested in a proscriptive question like “describe your experience living at the homeless shelter.” That was not a good prompt, much less a beautiful question, in part because these were people who were still struggling to make sense of experiences that were traumatic and difficult to talk about.
Asking more open-ended questions about their childhoods and other memories (something like: “Tell me about something you have always loved to do”) helped them connect to their past identities as bakers, writers, or rappers, rather than their current situation of being homeless. Allowing them to respond in their own way. I believe it’s always important that we ask questions in a way that’s comfortable and healing for the person we’re talking to. We want them to express the story in whatever way feels best. It’s not just about giving voice, it’s about amplifying stories, empowering the individual, and discovering that often the resilience we need to cope, exists in the stories that area already part of us.
Following the Interview
Once your interview is complete, you must store or download the material so it does not get lost. Also be sure to save it on a backup storage like a USB flash drive. Make sure to label the recordings and notes so you can find them later. For recorded interviews, listen back to the recordings carefully and make a list of the key responses to your questions. Transcribe the interview verbatim (in their exact words and as they spoke them). You may want to use capitals, brackets, italics or other creative punctuation to give a sense of how these words were spoken, used facial gestures, and gives a sense of how the teller conveyed the story to you. Using a person’s actual words is a mark of respect and good practice, so don’t skip this step.
You can outline your thoughts on the interview in a personal journal or in your field notebook. This will help remind you of the context, setting, and events that took place that day. Details are easy to forget, even if they seem crystal clear at the time. Journaling before and after the interview will help you reflect on the process and what you and the teller might have learned. How might you capture the atmosphere of the day that the interview took place? What else was happening locally, or in the world that was relevant?
As you read over the transcript, look for how the teller made connections between personal stories and larger topics. Explore how one story may have merged into other stories. Ask yourself if there was something they were trying to tell you that you missed. If so, you have a chance to ask follow up questions when you return a copy of the transcript to the teller.
Treat all the material with utmost care. You have a responsibility to not misrepresent the interviewee’s words or take them out of context. If you plan to publish parts of the interview, ask your interviewee to sign a release giving you permission to use the material.
Once your interview is complete, you must store or download the material so it does not get lost. Also be sure to save it on a backup storage like a USB flash drive. Make sure to label the recordings and notes so you can find them later. For recorded interviews, listen back to the recordings carefully and make a list of the key responses to your questions. Transcribe the interview verbatim (in their exact words and as they spoke them). You may want to use capitals, brackets, italics or other creative punctuation to give a sense of how these words were spoken, used facial gestures, and gives a sense of how the teller conveyed the story to you. Using a person’s actual words is a mark of respect and good practice, so don’t skip this step.
You can outline your thoughts on the interview in a personal journal or in your field notebook. This will help remind you of the context, setting, and events that took place that day. Details are easy to forget, even if they seem crystal clear at the time. Journaling before and after the interview will help you reflect on the process and what you and the teller might have learned. How might you capture the atmosphere of the day that the interview took place? What else was happening locally, or in the world that was relevant?
As you read over the transcript, look for how the teller made connections between personal stories and larger topics. Explore how one story may have merged into other stories. Ask yourself if there was something they were trying to tell you that you missed. If so, you have a chance to ask follow up questions when you return a copy of the transcript to the teller.
Treat all the material with utmost care. You have a responsibility to not misrepresent the interviewee’s words or take them out of context. If you plan to publish parts of the interview, ask your interviewee to sign a release giving you permission to use the material.
What to Do with the Interview Results
There are many ways that you can use story material beyond the basic verbatim transcript.
You could write up the interview as a continuous monologue, editing out your questions. This will allow for a better flow as it is re-read. You could write a personal story of the process before, after, or during the interview that includes aspects of your personal reflections about the interview process. You could create a piece of ‘creative nonfiction,’ or a story based on fact and a real person’s account of things. Many creative literatures use these methods and have been used to create longer or shorter accounts. The way we tell stories differs from the way we read stories. Balancing the spoken against the more formal written word, whilst maintaining a sense of individual voice, is an art in itself and takes practice. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t feel you got it right the first time!
There are many other creative ways you can use this evidence. You may want to compile a multimedia exhibition, an online audio transcription, or combine the interview with a photographic account of what took place. You could try creating a piece of ethno-poetics. This involves transcribing in a way that offers volume, depth, and some of the visual patterns used by the teller. You might use capital letters, bold, italics, or underlined text. This helps if you are trying to stress the way a teller describes an event to you.
Think about using other activities and ideas from this toolkit and sharing the results by using stories through theater. You could create a spoken word poetry piece or explore other genres of poetry culturally specific to the teller or region in which you are working. The teller may want to use the transcription to create a living library book. You may decide to continue to work with the teller in writing up your interview in a way that allows the teller and others to gather a greater sense of the meaning of the stories told. The teller may also want to use the transcription to write their own story in a way that is meaningful for them. Explore additional examples in this toolkit or other examples of how you might share the results. Creativity means limitless possibilities!
There are many ways that you can use story material beyond the basic verbatim transcript.
You could write up the interview as a continuous monologue, editing out your questions. This will allow for a better flow as it is re-read. You could write a personal story of the process before, after, or during the interview that includes aspects of your personal reflections about the interview process. You could create a piece of ‘creative nonfiction,’ or a story based on fact and a real person’s account of things. Many creative literatures use these methods and have been used to create longer or shorter accounts. The way we tell stories differs from the way we read stories. Balancing the spoken against the more formal written word, whilst maintaining a sense of individual voice, is an art in itself and takes practice. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t feel you got it right the first time!
There are many other creative ways you can use this evidence. You may want to compile a multimedia exhibition, an online audio transcription, or combine the interview with a photographic account of what took place. You could try creating a piece of ethno-poetics. This involves transcribing in a way that offers volume, depth, and some of the visual patterns used by the teller. You might use capital letters, bold, italics, or underlined text. This helps if you are trying to stress the way a teller describes an event to you.
Think about using other activities and ideas from this toolkit and sharing the results by using stories through theater. You could create a spoken word poetry piece or explore other genres of poetry culturally specific to the teller or region in which you are working. The teller may want to use the transcription to create a living library book. You may decide to continue to work with the teller in writing up your interview in a way that allows the teller and others to gather a greater sense of the meaning of the stories told. The teller may also want to use the transcription to write their own story in a way that is meaningful for them. Explore additional examples in this toolkit or other examples of how you might share the results. Creativity means limitless possibilities!
Examples of How to Use the Interviews to Document Stories
Below are two examples of ways Kiran used interviews to document stories, one in written format and another as a video tribute to his terminally ill father.
Below are two examples of ways Kiran used interviews to document stories, one in written format and another as a video tribute to his terminally ill father.
Example Interview in Written Format: Melani Douglass, Story Collected by Kiran Singh Sirah
Recently I found out that a friend of mine was also a friend of Melani Douglass, the great-great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, the slavery abolitionist. I was deeply excited to meet a direct descendent of one of my heroes. Frederick Douglass was a key figure in my past work exploring Glasgow and Scotland’s role in the slavery emancipation movement. When I met Melani in person at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, we found that we had many connections and interests in common. Melani invited me to her community of Anacostia where we talked and taped much of our conversation as she revealed her rich family heritage to me. She spoke of her dreams and aspirations, her family and the community she lives in today, and about how she believes that her identity is a matter of choice, and it is up to us to define which path we must lead. Through our conversations we connected as friends.
Recently I found out that a friend of mine was also a friend of Melani Douglass, the great-great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, the slavery abolitionist. I was deeply excited to meet a direct descendent of one of my heroes. Frederick Douglass was a key figure in my past work exploring Glasgow and Scotland’s role in the slavery emancipation movement. When I met Melani in person at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, we found that we had many connections and interests in common. Melani invited me to her community of Anacostia where we talked and taped much of our conversation as she revealed her rich family heritage to me. She spoke of her dreams and aspirations, her family and the community she lives in today, and about how she believes that her identity is a matter of choice, and it is up to us to define which path we must lead. Through our conversations we connected as friends.
Example Recorded Family History: Slideshow Featuring Family Stories
As mentioned, my dad has Alzheimer’s. Since my dad lives in England, I wanted to create a story project that I could send him, to show him my love. I collated many of the stories I had collected over the years, crafted a first-person story script, collected old photos, and made an iMovie using my mobile phone. Once complete, I converted it to YouTube, and as a family we gathered on Zoom and debuted the movie, as a gift of love to our dad. Occasionally I resend the video to my dad.
Keep this idea in mind, for sharing someone’s story, a person you’ve met, are working with, or family member of someone whose life you’d like to honor.
As mentioned, my dad has Alzheimer’s. Since my dad lives in England, I wanted to create a story project that I could send him, to show him my love. I collated many of the stories I had collected over the years, crafted a first-person story script, collected old photos, and made an iMovie using my mobile phone. Once complete, I converted it to YouTube, and as a family we gathered on Zoom and debuted the movie, as a gift of love to our dad. Occasionally I resend the video to my dad.
Keep this idea in mind, for sharing someone’s story, a person you’ve met, are working with, or family member of someone whose life you’d like to honor.
Example Interview in Written Format: Annie Johnson, Story Collected By Kiran Singh Sirah
Meeting and interacting with Annie was a unique experience for me. In the past I had met people that identify with the transgender community, but never have I had the chance to discuss the process of going through such a transition. Annie is a warm, giving, and caring person, who is passionate about equality issues in our world, not just those that affect the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual,) community. We had a chance meeting and, after I wrote the first draft of this story from the original taped interview transcription, I sent this draft to Annie via e-mail, and we exchanged versions until we were both happy with the final product.
Meeting and interacting with Annie was a unique experience for me. In the past I had met people that identify with the transgender community, but never have I had the chance to discuss the process of going through such a transition. Annie is a warm, giving, and caring person, who is passionate about equality issues in our world, not just those that affect the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual,) community. We had a chance meeting and, after I wrote the first draft of this story from the original taped interview transcription, I sent this draft to Annie via e-mail, and we exchanged versions until we were both happy with the final product.
Photography for Story Collection
Photos tell stories and capture experiences, events, moments, places, and people in ways that can be as powerful than the written or spoken word. As a photographer, capturing a good photo is about using your camera to tell a story, whether it’s a portrait that reveals something about a person’s personality or a snapshot of an important moment. Here’s a simple guide to how to do it effectively
Taking Photos at Events
Exuberant and expressive people make for good pictures. Look out for people who gesture with their hands or people with interesting characteristics. Generally, giving people a chance to do what they feel they do best, or talk about what they do, will bring out more charismatic photos.
Think of the story you want to tell with your pictures. How might each photo illuminate the beginning, middle, and end of your story? Are there any photos that can be taken over a period of time at the same place? Think about the moments that might reveal much about a day, a group of people, a situation, a problem, or a solution. In capturing people, think about:
How can I get close up to the main characters?
How can I capture the tone of the event?
How can I photograph these characters and elements of the story?
Think of your camera as an extension of yourself and allow your camera to participate in every moment, event, and conversation. Allow your camera to capture expected and unexpected moments. Of course, be respectful to those you photo! Sharing the results can often be a good way to build a relationship, pick a good photo together, and help to create better pictures and sharing of stories.
Make a Plan
Think about the story you want to tell with pictures—the mood you want to convey. Before the event, write a list of people and moments that you want to capture. Imagine a wedding without images of the bride or groom, or the in-laws! You also want to try to capture people participating in some way that gives a sense of the fuller story to be told through photos.
Setting Up the Shot
The key is to try and capture something that is unique or relevant to the person you photograph. Simply making them pose can be a waste of time. If they talk more with their hands, consider framing the shot to include that detail. If they stand in an interesting way, don’t shy away from a full-length frame. If they are doing something that is relevant, ask them to talk about it or try to capture them in action, while you snap away!
With people that you’re meeting and photographing for the first time, spend time talking to them. Observe how they talk and move. Spend some time with your camera so you and the person you’re photographing become comfortable with one another. Imagine there are three of you having a conversation—that includes your camera!
Try to get the person in focus and the background out of focus. The easiest way is to make sure the camera is fully zoomed in on their face. Allow the person to talk about something meaningful or important to them. With digital photography you can take plenty of pictures as you will be able to pick the best later. Don’t be shy! Move in as close to the person or event taking place as possible.
Lighting
Make sure you’re in a bright environment so there’s plenty of light on their face. Outdoors during dusk or dawn offers soft light, which is good for portraits. Bright days also make for good pictures. Unless you have good lighting indoors, try to make sure there is some natural light. If this is not possible, ensure you’re in a brightly lit environment, as you will want to try to capture the personality of the person you are photographing. Test your camera before each event; check light exposure, especially if your camera is new or unfamiliar to you. For simple, Point-and-Shoot cameras this may be easy; however, if your camera is more advanced, get to know the settings and take a few test photos. A camera is basically a light box: Finding the right amount of light to let in is the key to great photos.
Photos tell stories and capture experiences, events, moments, places, and people in ways that can be as powerful than the written or spoken word. As a photographer, capturing a good photo is about using your camera to tell a story, whether it’s a portrait that reveals something about a person’s personality or a snapshot of an important moment. Here’s a simple guide to how to do it effectively
Taking Photos at Events
Exuberant and expressive people make for good pictures. Look out for people who gesture with their hands or people with interesting characteristics. Generally, giving people a chance to do what they feel they do best, or talk about what they do, will bring out more charismatic photos.
Think of the story you want to tell with your pictures. How might each photo illuminate the beginning, middle, and end of your story? Are there any photos that can be taken over a period of time at the same place? Think about the moments that might reveal much about a day, a group of people, a situation, a problem, or a solution. In capturing people, think about:
How can I get close up to the main characters?
How can I capture the tone of the event?
How can I photograph these characters and elements of the story?
Think of your camera as an extension of yourself and allow your camera to participate in every moment, event, and conversation. Allow your camera to capture expected and unexpected moments. Of course, be respectful to those you photo! Sharing the results can often be a good way to build a relationship, pick a good photo together, and help to create better pictures and sharing of stories.
Make a Plan
Think about the story you want to tell with pictures—the mood you want to convey. Before the event, write a list of people and moments that you want to capture. Imagine a wedding without images of the bride or groom, or the in-laws! You also want to try to capture people participating in some way that gives a sense of the fuller story to be told through photos.
Setting Up the Shot
The key is to try and capture something that is unique or relevant to the person you photograph. Simply making them pose can be a waste of time. If they talk more with their hands, consider framing the shot to include that detail. If they stand in an interesting way, don’t shy away from a full-length frame. If they are doing something that is relevant, ask them to talk about it or try to capture them in action, while you snap away!
With people that you’re meeting and photographing for the first time, spend time talking to them. Observe how they talk and move. Spend some time with your camera so you and the person you’re photographing become comfortable with one another. Imagine there are three of you having a conversation—that includes your camera!
Try to get the person in focus and the background out of focus. The easiest way is to make sure the camera is fully zoomed in on their face. Allow the person to talk about something meaningful or important to them. With digital photography you can take plenty of pictures as you will be able to pick the best later. Don’t be shy! Move in as close to the person or event taking place as possible.
Lighting
Make sure you’re in a bright environment so there’s plenty of light on their face. Outdoors during dusk or dawn offers soft light, which is good for portraits. Bright days also make for good pictures. Unless you have good lighting indoors, try to make sure there is some natural light. If this is not possible, ensure you’re in a brightly lit environment, as you will want to try to capture the personality of the person you are photographing. Test your camera before each event; check light exposure, especially if your camera is new or unfamiliar to you. For simple, Point-and-Shoot cameras this may be easy; however, if your camera is more advanced, get to know the settings and take a few test photos. A camera is basically a light box: Finding the right amount of light to let in is the key to great photos.
Rule of Thirds
Not everything has to be centered in the picture. The eye is naturally attracted to non-centered parts of the photo. Use all parts of the picture frame in order to introduce unexpected drama or tension. A good rule of thumb is to mentally divide the scene into a 3X3 grid (see example)) and consider what elements you want to include in each section. Sometimes pictures can be more interesting when the main subject is not directly in the middle of the frame. |
Capturing the Unexpected
Keep your camera out so people get used to it and become comfortable with it, and then be prepared for any moment to tell a story and provide an interesting photo. Move around a lot. Look for ways to show the depth and distance in the photo. Detail photos can help to tell the story of a place or event.
Take some time to look closely at the space to see what can be learned in the details. Think about the use of negative space within a frame. Negative space is space in a photo that is mostly empty. Negative space provides an interesting balance and helps the viewers to focus on other parts of the photo.
Extra Tips for You as a Photographer
Always make sure people are OK with you taking pictures. If they ask you not to take their picture, respect that. Ask permission from a spokesperson at an event, especially if taking photos of children and vulnerable adults. Sometimes talking to people first helps people to feel comfortable with you, and often draws exuberant characters your way!
What to do with the Photos
After you have taken all your photos, download them or look back at them in ways that suit the type of camera that you have. Programs such as Light Room or Photoshop are worth investing in, with Light Room being the more accessible for the unfamiliar new user. Look back at your photos and select which ones help to tell the story that you’re looking for. Look for themes of colors, people, the time of day, or main characters in the story. Try to be selective, and choose the best photos that speak to your broader story. Often working with others will help to select the best photos, creating a slide show of 10-20 photos will help you be selective and help to focus the project. Take your slide show, or print out the photos and create copies for your participants. This way they may also have a story to tell about the photograph, why they wore something that day, how they were feeling, or what might have happened next.
Use the photos to ask for quotes, or short stories that may accompany a photo or perhaps you have a story about the people in the photos you want to share in a reflection.
Keep your camera out so people get used to it and become comfortable with it, and then be prepared for any moment to tell a story and provide an interesting photo. Move around a lot. Look for ways to show the depth and distance in the photo. Detail photos can help to tell the story of a place or event.
Take some time to look closely at the space to see what can be learned in the details. Think about the use of negative space within a frame. Negative space is space in a photo that is mostly empty. Negative space provides an interesting balance and helps the viewers to focus on other parts of the photo.
Extra Tips for You as a Photographer
Always make sure people are OK with you taking pictures. If they ask you not to take their picture, respect that. Ask permission from a spokesperson at an event, especially if taking photos of children and vulnerable adults. Sometimes talking to people first helps people to feel comfortable with you, and often draws exuberant characters your way!
What to do with the Photos
After you have taken all your photos, download them or look back at them in ways that suit the type of camera that you have. Programs such as Light Room or Photoshop are worth investing in, with Light Room being the more accessible for the unfamiliar new user. Look back at your photos and select which ones help to tell the story that you’re looking for. Look for themes of colors, people, the time of day, or main characters in the story. Try to be selective, and choose the best photos that speak to your broader story. Often working with others will help to select the best photos, creating a slide show of 10-20 photos will help you be selective and help to focus the project. Take your slide show, or print out the photos and create copies for your participants. This way they may also have a story to tell about the photograph, why they wore something that day, how they were feeling, or what might have happened next.
Use the photos to ask for quotes, or short stories that may accompany a photo or perhaps you have a story about the people in the photos you want to share in a reflection.
Examples of How to Use Your Photographs to Document Interviews and Moments
Below are two examples of photographs that document powerful moments and explore the stories of the people in the image.
Below are two examples of photographs that document powerful moments and explore the stories of the people in the image.
Example Photograph Documenting Tam Williams. Taken by Kiran Singh Sirah. Baton Rouge, 2016.
The image above was taken by Kiran Singh Sirah while he was visiting Baton Rouge. He met a protester, called Tam Williams, an activist drawing attention to the murder of Alton Sterling.
The image above was taken by Kiran Singh Sirah while he was visiting Baton Rouge. He met a protester, called Tam Williams, an activist drawing attention to the murder of Alton Sterling.
Example Photograph and Interview with the AIDS Survivor Doug Lothes
The image above was taken by the photographer Billy Howard, showing the AIDS Survivor Doug Lothes. In 2012, Kiran interviewed Doug Lothes to learn more about his journey.
The image above was taken by the photographer Billy Howard, showing the AIDS Survivor Doug Lothes. In 2012, Kiran interviewed Doug Lothes to learn more about his journey.
Creative Ways to Use Stories Project Ideas
There are many ways to use your own stories or the stories you collect to make meaningful projects. Click the project ideas below to learn more.
There are many ways to use your own stories or the stories you collect to make meaningful projects. Click the project ideas below to learn more.
Living Library Project
Explore difficult topics through collaborative conversation
Photo Voice
Use photos for auto-ethnography and activism
Stories Through Theater
Break through language or cultural barriers
Stories for Community Activism
Change the world one story at a time
Spoken Word/Slam Poetry
Poetry has the power to connect us
Explore difficult topics through collaborative conversation
Photo Voice
Use photos for auto-ethnography and activism
Stories Through Theater
Break through language or cultural barriers
Stories for Community Activism
Change the world one story at a time
Spoken Word/Slam Poetry
Poetry has the power to connect us
Resources
As you begin your project, you may find the following resources helpful in your work.
As you begin your project, you may find the following resources helpful in your work.
Acknowledgements
Kiran would like to thank all those that have advised and assisted in the development of this toolkit. In particular, he extends thanks to: Melani Douglass, Billy Howard, Doug Lothes, Annie Johnson, Tam Williams and J Freeman. He would also like to offer gratitude to: The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, The Alliance for Peacebuilding, Partners Global and Laina Reynolds Levy for providing editorial support for the original version. He would also like to thank his friends and colleagues, as well as storytellers from all walks of life.
Kiran would like to thank all those that have advised and assisted in the development of this toolkit. In particular, he extends thanks to: Melani Douglass, Billy Howard, Doug Lothes, Annie Johnson, Tam Williams and J Freeman. He would also like to offer gratitude to: The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, The Alliance for Peacebuilding, Partners Global and Laina Reynolds Levy for providing editorial support for the original version. He would also like to thank his friends and colleagues, as well as storytellers from all walks of life.
Usage
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Feel free to use this toolkit for your own projects or for educational purposes. If you would like to share the toolkit, provide a link and credit the author, Kiran Singh Sirah. For additional usage permissions, please contact Kiran. We are working together to build a better, more beautiful, more balanced world and to share our stories for wisdom, compassion, integrity, and justice.
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Feel free to use this toolkit for your own projects or for educational purposes. If you would like to share the toolkit, provide a link and credit the author, Kiran Singh Sirah. For additional usage permissions, please contact Kiran. We are working together to build a better, more beautiful, more balanced world and to share our stories for wisdom, compassion, integrity, and justice.
Feedback?
I welcome your feedback! We would very much like to hear your thoughts on this toolkit. Has it been useful in your work? How might it be improved? Can you give one suggestion as to how the Toolkit can be developed in the future?
If you have used this toolkit, please let us know which section you found most relevant. Perhaps you might like to share some stories that have come from using this toolkit? Contact Kiran with feedback.
I welcome your feedback! We would very much like to hear your thoughts on this toolkit. Has it been useful in your work? How might it be improved? Can you give one suggestion as to how the Toolkit can be developed in the future?
If you have used this toolkit, please let us know which section you found most relevant. Perhaps you might like to share some stories that have come from using this toolkit? Contact Kiran with feedback.